New Build Hallway Help Needed (pics included)

Nicki_Sue

ThisIsWeird said:

Either would actually do, tho' the first type would need a cut-out in the back panel in order for the CU (Consumer Unit) to poke through. There's no problem in having coats draped over them - they won't overheat or anything. And it might even allow the router to sit higher up where the coverage would be improved?
I suspect the latest regs have determined the  seemingly weird CU height, but I don't know. I guess folk in wheelchairs need as easy access to them as everyone else?
The second design - very clever, it seems so obvious now you are it, but would never have occurred to me - could have the additional benefit of the bottom part being very easy to move should a W/M be delivered. 
Do you know the distance between the step in the wall and the stairs? 
It might seem as tho' a unit there would be in the way, but in reality I doubt very much it will be. How deep does it have to be anyway - 350mm? Not a lot. And, as these examples show, they should add to the overall attractiveness of the hallway. Worth trawling the charity shops for a lovely designer coat, hat and scarf that you'd never actually wear - they'd just hang there, covering the fuse box :-)
The only issue would be to keep it looking tidy - 'could be a magnet for all sorts of 'bits'.

All great points. I think the second pic or a version of it would do the job. There are four of us so four sets of shoes and four in-season coats to hang. I'm not a fan of clutter so off-season coats etc will be away. 

Thanks again!

Nicki_Sue

FreeBear said:

silvercar said: I'd be changing that clear glass panel. I wouldn't want anyone walking past to see the down the length of the hall. 

Agreed. It is a bit silly to have obscured glass in the door, but not the side window.

How about a shoe rack just in front of that window and perhaps some coat hooks under the CU.

I'm Purlfrosting the side window! Was the first thing I measured up for. 
I'll have to remeasure but I don't think a show unit in front of the glass side window would work because of where the living room door is. 

I'll not dismiss the idea though!

GDB2222

FreeBear said:

silvercar said: I'd be changing that clear glass panel. I wouldn't want anyone walking past to see the down the length of the hall. 

Agreed. It is a bit silly to have obscured glass in the door, but not the side window.

How about a shoe rack just in front of that window and perhaps some coat hooks under the CU.

Some care would be needed because there are a lot of cables in that wall. 

Sarahspangles

Nicki_Sue said:

Hi All,

We're buying a new build and these pics show our hallway complete with fuseboard, heating controls and so on.

There's nowhere at the moment for shoe storage or coats. Coats could go into rooms if needed but I'd rather shoes not.
 
What would you do to use this area better (and maybe look better) while not stopping access/signal? 

I'm thinking more of an Ikea budget than anything else but am open to opinions/advice.

Thanks!

I think I’d have an open shoe rack - the kind like bookshelves - so there’s somewhere to put keys and mail, with a plant to disguise the fuse box. Then hang coats on another wall.

FreeBear

GDB2222 said:

FreeBear said:

silvercar said: I'd be changing that clear glass panel. I wouldn't want anyone walking past to see the down the length of the hall. 

Agreed. It is a bit silly to have obscured glass in the door, but not the side window.

How about a shoe rack just in front of that window and perhaps some coat hooks under the CU.

Some care would be needed because there are a lot of cables in that wall. 

Most certainly. A decent size batten to go across under the CU, and diligent use of a cable detector before making any holes. Make a pilot hole with a thin pointy (insulated) screwdriver, and should you hit conduit. it should stop the screwdriver before any damage. That said, if this property is constructed with SIPs, find the studs and fix to them.

Nicki_Sue - Ask the builders what type of construction they have used. If it is with SIPs, they should be able to give you some idea where the studs are. They might even be able to clue you in on where the cables are buried in the wall.

35har1old

Nicki_Sue said:

Hi All,

We're buying a new build and these pics show our hallway complete with fuseboard, heating controls and so on.

There's nowhere at the moment for shoe storage or coats. Coats could go into rooms if needed but I'd rather shoes not.
 
What would you do to use this area better (and maybe look better) while not stopping access/signal? 

I'm thinking more of an Ikea budget than anything else but am open to opinions/advice.

Thanks!

I would be concerned about mounting anything which would need securing to the wall due to risk of it hitting a cable.You have incoming cables from you meter and out going cables supplying the house

ChasingtheWelshdream

I don’t have a picture to hand, but I did something very similar to the second idea above using IKEA units. From memory they were different ranges, but go together anyway. The bottom was a TV cabinet with drawers and cubby holes - perfect for our shoes. The top is a shelving unit and I just added hooks underneath for coats. I can’t remember the cost but probably £100 or so each? 

ThisIsWeird

Good points about cables. For the 'single' unit, I'd anticipate it being free-standing, so easy to quickly move if needed. But it should ideally have a restraint strap at the top to prevent toppling, when - for example - folk grab their coats on the way out. 

It should be perfectly possible to avoid hitting cables, tho'... For a start, they should all be in a straight direct line up, down, or sideways from the items you can see, but obviously you'd confirm.

The most restrictive item would appear to be the room 'stat (?) which would limit the unit's width without it being moved. But that might not be a bad thing, as it would also keep the unit side well away from the stairs.

Simonon77

Why not put a coat rack above the consumer unit? The coats will cover it when they are there anyway and will also let you get to the heating controls easily. You could then use a shoe rack / unit at the bottom. The problem i can see is if you build up too much around that area, you are going to have to go around it to use the stairs. 

I would also think about using the space in front of the glass panel as that is all basically wasted space and would be perfect for a shoe rack. With obscured glass it wouldnt look untidy from outside.

It is a real shame they put the door on that side as if it was on the other then it would make the space much more usable

yolo1988

Could get yourself some stained glass style wrapping for the windows which will give more privacy and also allow for a standing shoe rack in front of the glass which won't be seen with the wrapping. Makes the most of the space lost then.